In the run up to the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, ugly clashes were continuing to take place between the British territory of Gibraltar and Spain over Spanish fishermen’s rights to cast nets in nearby waters. And so as a snub to the UK, the Spanish government ordered Queen Sofia to cancel her attendance at a luncheon to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee at Windsor Castle.

Defiant Rock celebrates the Diamond Jubilee

Despite tensions between Spain and the Rock, Gibraltarians refused to let the occasion pass them by and on Monday the tiny territory mustered its own flotilla of boats including military vessels around its coastline to honour the Queen’s 60 years of reign. The Royal Gibraltar regiment gave a 21-Gun salute and patriotic residents planned a series of festive events.

While many British expats in Spain decided to return to the UK to enjoy the celebrations, plenty of Britons-particularly Londoners-were fleeing the crowds to bask… Read more